Chocolate Puma

Chocolate Puma, the Dutch duo of René ter Horst and Gaston Steenkist, represents one of the most enduring and prolific partnerships in electronic music. Emerging in the early 1990s under various aliases like The Good Men and Riva, they achieved global recognition with the 1993 hit 'Give It Up', which famously utilized Sérgio Mendes-inspired percussion to bridge the gap between tribal house and mainstream pop.

Their career arc is a rare example of 'first-generation' producers successfully transitioning into the EDM era, maintaining relevance by refining their sound from analog warmth to a sharp, digital 'future house' aesthetic. Critically, they are respected for their technical proficiency and their role in the 'Dutch House' explosion. Their influence is felt in the work of younger artists like Oliver Heldens and Tchami, who adopt the duo's signature blend of soulful house foundations and aggressive, modern synthesis. As label heads of Pssst Music, they have remained central to the Haarlem electronic scene while consistently appearing on major imprints like Spinnin' Records and Defected.